Tidying’s Tips for the Toughest Stains

Ever spill red wine on a friend’s white shag carpet? This social faux pas can cast a shadow over a classy get together any day. Thankfully, the situation becomes several shades less cringe-worthy when you have a tried-and-true strategy to remove the stain and leave your host’s rug uncompromised. 

Catastrophes like the one described above are not the only situations that call for special cleaning hacks; tough messes are an unavoidable part of everyday life. Fortunately, Tidying is here to help! We’ve put together a short list of cleaning hacks for you to tuck away in your mental filing cabinet for your next cleaning day (or wine-on-carpet snafu!)

1. Carpet Stains Be Gone! Whether you’re dealing with a spilled beverage or your fur-baby’s latest indiscretion (or human-baby’s for that matter), hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are the way to go. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the stain and follow with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Allow to sit for 30 mins to an hour, then soak up the vinegar (and the stain!) with a paper towel. We find this usually does the trick, but if you need some more heavy-duty cleaning action, try making a 1:2:1 solution of dish detergent, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda and soak for up to two hours.

2. Crystal-Clear Windows and Glass. Most of us have at some point in our lives groaned over the lint and streaks left behind after our most heroic mirror-cleaning efforts. Next time you take on this task, ditch the glass cleaner and make a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar. Instead of paper towels that leave behind traces, invest in some microfiber glass cleaning cloths  that are  reusable and will leave behind a streak-free shine. As with carpet stains, add a dash of dish detergent to your cleaning mix if you need a little extra “umph” to get through the grime that builds up on outdoor window surfaces.

3. Kiss Shower Scum Goodbye! Say “sayonara” to the scrub brush and heavy bleach and try this trick on the inevitable slime buildup in your tub or shower. Grab a bottle of Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, squirt on the dirty surfaces, and spread evenly with a sponge. Let the cleaner do its work for 10-20 minutes then rinse away without the grunt work! Don’t forget your facemask; even a bleach free cleaner can be stifling in the close quarters of a shower stall.

4. Spotless Oven. We’re still on the fence about our favorite method for this one. Let us know in the comments which of the strategies below gets your vote!

• Dab a paste of 1:2:6 vinegar, dish soap and baking soda over the inside of your oven. Leave overnight and wipe away the next day.
• Steam with vinegar. Boil water in an oven safe pot on the stove, then add an equal amount of vinegar. Allow to boil for 30 more seconds, then place in the oven and close the door. Wait 45 minutes and wipe surfaces with a soapy cloth.
• When life hands you lemons, clean your oven! Juice two lemons into a pan of water and heat in the oven until mixture comes to a boil. Turn off the oven and leave the door closed. Once fully cooled, wipe away the build up with a damp cloth. 

This list is far from all-inclusive, but hopefully it will help you save some time and elbow grease next cleaning day. Check out our website and follow us on Facebook so you don’t miss out on future tips and tricks!